If you're a parent in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, or Rosemount, your child's high school graduation requirements just changed in a major way.
Personal finance education is no longer optional—it's required for every student starting with the class of 2028. This means your current sophomore must complete a comprehensive course covering budgeting, credit management, and investing before they graduate.
This represents one of the most significant curriculum changes in recent years for South Metro families.
Starting with students who are currently in 10th grade, every student must complete a semester-long course covering budgeting, credit management, investing, and financial planning. This isn't an elective anymore—it's mandatory.
Minnesota became the 20th state in the nation to require personal finance for high school graduation. The legislature passed this requirement in May 2023, and District 196 implemented it beginning in fall 2025.
The goal? Ensure that students graduate with practical money management skills most adults never learned in school.
The curriculum covers six comprehensive units designed to prepare students for real-world financial decisions.
The course starts with the basics—understanding how money works, why financial planning matters, and how to make informed financial decisions. Students learn foundational concepts before diving into complex topics.
Before students get their first paycheck, they learn how to read a pay stub, understand deductions, and plan for different income sources. This practical skill means South Metro graduates know exactly what those numbers mean on their first real job.
One of the most critical components focuses on credit cards, interest rates, and debt management. Students learn how credit card companies make money, how compound interest works against borrowers, and how to build credit responsibly.
A student in the pilot program shared: "I thought a credit card was just spend whatever you want and pay it back. Now I understand how the debt stacks up and how hard it is to get out of."
That's the kind of transformation this education delivers.
The district teaches students about retirement accounts, compound interest, different investment vehicles, and long-term wealth building. Students learn these concepts while still living at home—giving them years to benefit from this knowledge.
Students also learn about insurance, protecting assets, and how the broader financial system works. These topics help them understand everything from car insurance to healthcare costs.
Understanding this graduation requirement means knowing how it affects your student's schedule, college planning, and long-term financial literacy.
Most students choose to complete the requirement in 10th grade, getting it done early and leaving more schedule flexibility for junior and senior year. However, the course can be taken anytime during high school.
At Eastview High School, the course runs on a quarter system. At other schools in the district, it's a trimester-long class.
Unlike the optional elective that's been available for years, this mandatory course has more rigor, deeper content, and higher expectations. Teachers across the South Metro worked together to develop curriculum that goes beyond basic economics standards.
Dr. Todd Beach, the district's lead teacher for social studies and personal finance, emphasized that this course is "richer" with "a lot more rigor" than previous offerings.
After just one trimester, students report significant mindset shifts about money management.
On budgeting:"I'd say budgeting was probably the most important of everything. It's very interesting to see how everything works in investing."
On credit cards:"The thing about credit card debt is it's so crazy hard to get out of and the amount of money they charge—it just keeps going under. I didn't know that before."
On practical application:"Me and my parents were actually just having a conversation over investments and I was looking at their investments and they were telling me which ones you have to pay a tax fee to take out and which ones you don't."
On real-world value:"This is real life stuff that we'll actually use. It's just a good foundation to give us."
These testimonials show how the course transforms student understanding of money before they make their first major financial mistakes.
The new requirement addresses a critical gap in education. Only 1 in 3 parents talk to their kids about money at home, yet 83% of adults believe schools should teach financial literacy.
District 196 just closed that gap for South Metro families.
One lesson consistently surprises students: the daily $5 coffee calculation.
When students calculate that a daily $5 coffee costs $1,825 per year, it hits different. Suddenly, small daily expenses become concrete numbers with real long-term impact. That's the kind of practical lesson the district now delivers to every student.
Parents in Lakeville, Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, and Rosemount often make home-buying decisions based on school quality. This requirement enhances educational value, demonstrating the district's commitment to preparing students for real life, not just college entrance exams.
When the district leads the state in practical education, it strengthens the entire South Metro area.
If you have students approaching high school age in the South Metro, here's what you need to know about the new requirement:
Teachers with business, family consumer science, mathematics, or social studies licenses can teach the course. This flexibility helps each school staff the class appropriately.
The requirement creates conversations that extend beyond the classroom. Teachers report that students are initiating financial discussions with parents for the first time.
Parents across the South Metro report teenagers asking about family retirement accounts, investment strategies, and household budgeting. The course transforms dinner table conversations.
Even if you didn't receive personal finance education in high school, you can support your student by:
Minnesota is the 20th state to require personal finance education for graduation. This means the district is ahead of school districts in 30 other states.
In 2019, only 6 states required personal finance courses. By 2030, that number is projected to double to 40 states. District 196 positioned itself at the forefront of this educational movement.
While some Minnesota districts are still planning their implementation, District 196 already completed its first trimester and refined its curriculum based on student feedback.
This proactive approach demonstrates why families choose the South Metro for quality education.
The curriculum will continue evolving as teachers gather more data and student feedback. After the December 2025 data day, teachers identified pacing improvements and content refinements for future trimesters.
The district's approach includes:
This commitment to continuous improvement ensures the course remains relevant, engaging, and valuable for students.
The personal finance requirement isn't the only significant change for South Metro families. At the same January 12th school board meeting, the district also announced:
Dakota Hills Middle School Recognition: Named a 2025 National Blue Ribbon School, placing this Eagan middle school among the top schools in the nation.
Transportation Challenges: The district continues addressing driver shortages causing route cancellations across the South Metro.
Property Tax Levy: The property tax levy increased 12.8% for 2026, affecting homeowners across the district.
Stay informed about all District 196 decisions by subscribing to South Metro Scoop.
Want to learn more about the personal finance requirement? Check these resources:
Official District Information: Visit the District 196 website for official announcements and curriculum details.
Minnesota Department of Education: Read the state guidance on personal finance education requirements.
Community Background: Learn about Lakeville, Apple Valley, and Rosemount communities served by the district.
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The personal finance graduation requirement gives South Metro students something most adults never received: comprehensive financial education before making their first major money mistakes.
Starting with the class of 2028, every student will learn budgeting, credit management, investing, and financial planning before graduation. They'll understand compound interest, credit card traps, retirement accounts, and smart money habits.
This is the district's investment in student success that extends far beyond traditional academic subjects. It's practical preparation for adult life.
For families in the South Metro, the requirement means your students graduate with skills you probably learned the hard way—if you learned them at all.
That's the difference District 196 is making for South Metro families.
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